Hadi Choopan continues to make headlines. On Feb. 4, 2026, via Instagram, he reportedly received his US visa despite calls for his Arnold Classic removal. In light of the ongoing controversy, Lee Priest came to Choopan’s defense.
Hadi Choopan won the 2024 Arnold Classic and secured second place for a third consecutive year at the Mr. Olympia. Heading into the Arnold Classic, he’s considered the on-paper favorite, alongside surging Pro Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea.
Recently, political turmoil has ravaged Choopan’s home country of Iran. Widespread protests continue to erupt across the nation, leading to a partial internet blackout. Human rights reports suggest that the Iranian regime has used lethal force against peaceful protesters. With the conflict bleeding into the sport, Lee Priest clapped back at fans.
Report: Hadi Choopan Gets Visa; Priest Defends Him Amid Arnold Classic Removal Demands
According to Nick’s Strength and Power, Choopan received fan backlash after a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was observed as his phone’s screensaver.
Even if Choopan did have the Supreme Leader displayed on his phone, Priest maintains that it doesn’t mean he supports him:
“He put out a statement if you can’t understand that then you people must be retarded. You say you have all these facts and he did this. He did that you’re all full of shit.”
“The picture on his phone that don’t mean shit I could be reading about Jeffrey Epstein, and his picture could be on my phone when you take a photo doesn’t mean I support him does it you’re all little virtual signaling people who have never done anything and if you are of a Iranian descent go back and fight for your people.”
Additionally, Priest emphasized that Choopan could live anywhere in the world but chose Iran.
“It’s easier to sit back in the comfort of the country are in now because you left that country at least Hardy could live anywhere, but he chooses to live in that country. You other people are just pathetic cowards,” Lee Priest shared.
“Hadi doesn’t owe anybody anything,” adds Priest.
Choopan appreciated Priest’s support in the comment section:
“felt like death had taken hold of me. No one, not even my close friends, could defend me. They couldn’t tell me the truth. I was silenced. I became the loneliest person on earth. Unjustly, without reason, without guilt, without mistake. I am an athlete. I am not a politician.
You clarified the whole story. You spoke all the truth. This is exactly what you said. It is the reality of my life. You are very wise and very educated. Thank you. Thank you for being someone who understood my pain and had the ability to speak. Thank you, 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭Lee.”
Should Choopan make it to the 2026 Arnold Classic, bodybuilding veterans have their doubts about his potential to win. Shawn Ray, a prominent Open competitor from the 1990s, suggested that the political unrest in Iran could distract Choopan and prevent him from bringing his all-time best.
The 2026 Arnold Classic is set for March 5-8 in Columbus, OH, where a massive $750,000 winner’s purse awaits the new champion.
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